I have discovered an appalling similarity between privately owned, for-profit prisons, and for-profit seniors facilities. This was brought to my attention by an announcement recently made by the U.S. Department of Justice. They will be putting an end to for-profit prisons because they have been found to be, “corrupt, abusive, inhumane, and unsafe.” They have stated that what was once a correctional system is now a profit engine whose fuel is prisoners.
The recent Senior Advocate reports show that the quality of care in our seniors facilities is declining due in part to insufficient staff, training and therapy. And that, on average, privately owned, for-profit facilities have less staff. Research has shown that they provide inferior care because revenue in excess of expenses is directed to owners and stockholders rather than to improve the care of residents.
Over the last year, many articles have reported cases of neglect, abuse by staff, and resident-on-resident aggression. Many of these incidents are happening in for-profit facilities that do not meet staffing guidelines. But why should they improve their quality of care when our Health Ministry does not enforce staff levels and refuses to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendation to administer penalties that can be applied to facility operators that do not comply with regulations? And financial experts recommend these facilities as a good investment because of high dividends generated by government funding.
Our system lacks enforcement and oversight which results in the neglect and abuse of our seniors, which is, in turn, lining the pockets of facility owners and their stockholders. Dare I describe this as corrupt?
Our seniors are being used as fuel for these profit engines with our tax dollars and the support of the B.C. government.
Judy Galley
